Know how nutrition impacts the immunity of dogs and cats

Animal nutrition has been continuously evolving, keeping up with new scientific discoveries and the growing demand from pet owners for foods that promote health and well-being for their pets. At the heart of these trends is the understanding that proper nutrition goes far beyond meeting energy needs, as it directly contributes to the protection of dogs and cats' bodies. In this article, we explore the relationship between nutrition and immunity in pets, highlighting how the ingredients in pet foods can contribute to healthy development.

The importance of nutrition for pets' immune health

The immune system is responsible for protecting the body against infections, toxins, and other external threats. For it to function efficiently, it depends on a balanced diet that provides the right nutrients in the appropriate amounts.

Dogs and cats with a balanced diet have greater resistance to infections and recover more quickly from illnesses. In addition, a high-quality diet also helps prevent chronic problems, such as allergies and metabolic disorders.

According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), current standards recommend that formulated foods for adult maintenance contain at least 18% protein on a dry matter basis. For growth or reproduction, this value increases to 22.5%, reflecting the importance of a diet rich in high-quality proteins.

Essential nutrients for immune health

To ensure the optimal functioning of the immune system, certain vitamins, minerals, and other compounds are crucial:

Fatty acids:

They reduce inflammation and improve immune response.

Vitamins A and E:

Powerful antioxidants that protect immune system cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Zinc:

An essential mineral for the production of enzymes that regulate immunity.

Prebiotics and Probiotics:

They improve gut health, which is directly linked to systemic immunity.

These nutrients are indeed crucial for the immunity of dogs and cats, and their inclusion in balanced diets is essential to ensure immune health and overall well-being. However, the proportions and quantities must be adjusted based on specific factors such as species, age, weight, and health status of the pet.

The effects of poor nutrition on immune health

On the other hand, just like in humans, when low-quality or inadequate food is provided, there can be severe impacts on the immune system of pets.

This results in conditions that affect physical health and emotional well-being, as weakened pets show behavioral changes such as apathy and irritability.

Here are some examples:

Increased susceptibility to infections:

Deficiency in vitamins and minerals weakens the natural barriers against viruses and bacteria.

Slow recovery:

Lack of proteins and antioxidants hampers cellular regeneration and healing.

Risk of chronic diseases:

Unbalanced diets are associated with issues such as obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease, further compromising immunity.

So, how to adopt innovative ingredients for pets' immune health?

To promote differentiated nutrition for the immunity of dogs and cats, it is essential to invest in compositions that are highly digestible and meet specific nutritional needs.

In response to market demand, BRF Ingredients offers a portfolio of ingredients for pet food formulators, enabling optimization of pets' immune health in an effective and sustainable manner.

BioActio Health & Performance

This line stands out for its use of bioactive peptides, which contribute to both the performance and health of animals.

These compounds are highly digestible and promote better nutrient absorption, contributing to specific functionalities, such as supporting immune health and tissue regeneration.

In a study conducted in partnership with São Paulo State University (UNESP - Jaboticabal), 30 adult cats were evaluated on diets containing different levels of inclusion of the functional ingredient BioActio Health & Performance (5,0%, 10,0%, 20,0%, and 30,0%). The results indicated a positive response in stimulating the immune system, covering both innate and adaptive immunity, with diets containing 20% inclusion showing the best immune performance, including cell maintenance and support for specific tissues and inflammation, as well as the development of immune responses (antibodies).

By incorporating the BioActio Health & Performance line into their formulations, the growing pet food market offers high-quality foods and supports nutrition that meets market demands through research and innovation.

Final conclusions:

Well-formulated diets, composed of carefully selected ingredients, are essential to provide the necessary nutrients to strengthen the immune system and promote the overall well-being of animals, resulting in immune response and the prevention of chronic conditions.

The use of highly digestible ingredients, such as those containing bioactive peptides, represents a significant advancement in pet food formulation.

These compounds, obtained through hydrolysis processes, are more digestible and offer specific functionalities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, promoting direct benefits to immune balance, tissue regeneration, and nutrient absorption.

With the use of solutions such as the BioActio Health & Performance line, which contains 78 exclusive bioactive peptides, the pet food market has the opportunity to develop foods that integrate science, innovation, and sustainability.